If you enjoy flooding Instagram with food photos, read these rules

Do you consider Instagramming food pics obnoxious or obligatory? According to a recent Google report, nearly a third of Canadians are in the habit of photographing their meals, a divisive Internet practice that shows no signs of slowing.

Unsurprisingly, our smartphones play an outsized role in the Age of Food Porn: We breathlessly scroll through restaurant reviews, watch recipe how-to videos, and religiously document our every meal. But when it comes to actually posting your spread, filters and hashtags shouldn’t be your only consideration. For the 28 per cent of Canucks who insist that no one (no one!) touch their food before they get a snap of it, here are a few guidelines to ensure maximum etiquette-based enjoyment for you and, by extension, minimal annoyance for your dinner dates.

Related: 10 ways to get the best food photos with your smartphone

1. Never let warm food or beverages get cold in the name of a perfect shot. Take one quick snap — not 10 — and save the filtering and posting for later. (Like, once you’ve digested.)

2. Do not leave your seat under any circumstances. Unless you are an avid food blogger who’s feeling mega proud of your homemade pie — which obviously merits a complicated overhead shot, that is. Standing on chairs or crouching down to table level is not becoming of an adult diner.

3. Try not to undermine professional food photographers. Sure, social media has blessed us with life-saving filters, but not everyone is a pro. Food photography is a legitimate and challenging business, which requires a lot of talent and training. Your perfectly snapped avocado toast does not.

4. Your photos should not be used to score freebies. It’s nice to credit a restaurant’s culinary prowess with a tag or two, but that doesn’t entitle you to compensation (read: treats). Order what you really want, take a photo out of genuine appreciation, and then enjoy your meal for the sake of it.

5. Stay present. Worrying about photographing your food, your friend’s food, and the food of the guy at the next table is not a good look. Dining out should be a special experience, whether it’s a quick bite or a seven-course event, so focus on making a beautiful memory in the moment rather than reminiscing over leftovers. Related: 10 ways to get the best food photos with your smartphone The healthy Canadian students taking Instagram by storm 7 healthy foodies to follow on social media